For a special birthday hike, Owen and his cranky campers take a local hike at the Ernest E. Debs Regional Park in the Montecito Heights area of Los Angeles. This short post features photos of Peanut Lake (Debs Pond) and vast LA views- along with a 'secret' hiker swing.
Dog parks can be fun places for pups to let out energy and socialize with other dogs. This post features Owen's adventures at dog parks in Pasadena. South Pasadena, and Eagle Rock.
For a nice hike that offers up some challenging spots and good elevation gain but is also easily accessible from the Pasadena area, the Inspiration Point Interpretive Site is a great destination. This post routes the trail from Echo Mountain to Inspiration Point via the Castle Canyon Trail.
Trail Canyon Falls in Tujunga Canyon offers a mostly flat hiking adventure- until you get to a 40-foot drop to reach the base of the falls. Hikers repel down the series of ropes to reach the canyon floor.
Located in the San Bernardino National Forest not far from Mt. Baldy is Cucamonga Peak. Sitting at 8859 feet above sea level, with an elevation gain of over 4300 feet from the Icehouse Canyon trailhead, this hike is no joke. But the beauty of Icehouse Canyon and the Cucamonga Wilderness, along with a breathtaking view at the summit made all the hard work, effort, and sore knees totally worth it.
The Cranky Camper 